Giving Kids the Advantage

Thank you for Joining Us for the 18th Annual Denise McCoy Literacy Award Event

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 18th Annual Denise McCoy Literacy Award Event at the Fort Orange Club on November 8th. This year's winner was It's the End of The World and I'm in My Bathing Suit by Justin A. Reynolds. To our sponsors, we are humbled by your generous support!

The Denise McCoy Literacy Award, formerly known as the Little d award, honors the author of the previous year’s most humorous children’s book as recommended by the Albany Public Library Youth Librarians and selected by the award committee. Funds raised through this event are used to expand children’s literacy programs in our area and the Denise McCoy Scholarship Fund.

The next morning, we delivered books to all of the 3^rd, 4th and 5^th graders at Sheridan Prep Academy. Students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Reynolds, and learn more about why and how he became a children's author, and hear some lessons he has learned along the way.

They enjoyed his talk and many had questions for him. The 5^th graders had a chance to gather around him at the end. Some wanted autographs, some wanted hugs and many wanted to keep talking.

15-LOVE Participants Visit the Albany Pine Bush

Our kids had the opportunity to visit the Albany Pine Bush Nature Preserve courtesy of 15-LOVE Board Member Jennifer Gomez, who worked with the Pine Bush to set up a discovery tour of the grounds.

Participants and their parents explored nature and learned about the unique diversity of plants and animals in our area.

Thank you so much Jennifer for hosting this awesome adventure! Our kids were so happy!

15- LOVE Participants Receive Knitted Hats

Every year for the last several years, our executive director's aunt knits beautiful hats, or toques as she calls them, for our participants. We are so grateful for her taking time to make them in so many different colors and patterns.

This photo is from the Kindergarten class at Sheridan Prep Academy we shared them with last year. The kids loved them and loved choosing their own, unique hat! This year’s kindergartners will receive theirs next week!

Thank you, Aunt Pearl, for your love and dedication of knitting the toques.